Magnetically operated preselector



1954 R. A. HAMILTON 8,

MAGNETICALLY OPERATED PRESELECTOR Filed Oct. 5, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet l Q! R; m I K\. INVENTOR.

1&4 PH A. HhM/z. TON,

9, 5 R. A. HAMILTON 2,668,583

MAGNETICALLY OPERATED PRESELECTOR ea, 60 Q 33J INVENTOR.

RALPH A; JET/1M. 701v, BY

a. wu'flw .QTTORNEX 1954 'R. A. HAMILTON ,668,588

MAGNETICALLY [OPERATED PRESELECTOR Filed Oct. 5, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 w mlw umuuw lud INVENTOR. 844 A. HhM/LTON,

g am/2 Feb. 9, 1954 R. A. HAMILTON 2,668,583

MAGNETICALLY OPERATED PRESELECTOR Filed Oct. 5, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 4944p A. Ham/1.10

Feb. 9, 1954 R. A. HAMILTON 2,668,588

MAGNETICALLY OPERATED PRESELECTOR Filed Oct. 5, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 N I N VEN TOR. 1944 P/{ A. 1564M. 701v,

Feb. 9, 1954 R. A. HAMILTON 2,668,588

MAGNETICALLY OPERATED PRESELECTOR Filed Oct. 5, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. RALPH A. H4M/470M IQTTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 9 1954 MAGNETICALLY OPERATED PRESELECTOR Ralph A. Hamilton, Glendale, Oalifl, assignor of one-half to Fred Richard Hamilton, Glendale,

Calif.

Application October 5, 1948, Serial No. 52,918

43 Claims. 1 This invention relates to a preselector mecha nism wherein an activating zone is optionally created on a movable medium for efiecting a subsequent operation of a desired operator; more particularly, it relates to such mechanism wherein a magnetic zone is optionally impressed on a magneto-retentive medium for causing operation of a magneto-responsive operator at .a predetermined future time.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved mechanism of this character.

It is another object of this invention to provide a preselector mechanism wherein any one of a predetermined group of operations may be selected optionally to occur at any time in the future within the range of operation of the mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide such mechanism insuring accurate timing of the occurrence of the selected operations.

It is another object of this invention to provide such mechanism adapted to accommodate future selections over an extended period of time.

t is another object of this invention to provide a preselector mechanism in which the selected operations will be caused automatically to recur at definite time intervals.

It is another object of this invention to provide -a preselector mechanism in which a previously made selection can be changed at any time to another one of the predetermined group, or merely erased, without affecting any of the other selections already made.

t is another object of this invention to provide a preselector mechanism, wherein any member of the predetermined group of operations, one or more or all optionally may be selected to occur simultaneously at any desired time.

It is another object of this invention to provide a preselector mechanism utilizing a movable, magnetically retentive control medium in which magnetic zones may be impressed which after a predetermined movement of the medium, actuate magnetically responsive operators.

It is another object of this invention to provide such mechanism including driving means for advancing the control medium, wherein the medium may be moved independently of the driving means to permit impression of the magnetic zones thereon to cause actuation of the operators at a desired time.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a preselector mechanism adapted to control, for example, the operation of machines of various types, call bell systems, radio receivers, e c.

It is still another object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for use with a radio receiver to enable preselection of the programs to be received.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel form of control medium for a preselector.

It is still another object of this invention to provide such mechanism wherein the control medium is in the form of a continuous member, optionally causing, automatically, repetition of the chosen operations at definite time intervals.

Thisinvention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown several forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic View showing one form of preselector mechanism incorporating features of the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are detail cross sections, taken substantially as indicated by the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially as indicated by line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing a modified form of mechanism for erasing a selection from the control medium;

Figure 6 is a schematic view showing a modified form of mechanism for impressing a selection on the control medium;

Figure 7 is a detail cross section, taken substantially as indicated by line l'-l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a schematic view showing a modifled form 01 mechanism for impressing a selection on the control medium;

Figure 9 is a detail cross section, taken substantially as indicated by line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a detail cross section, taken substantially as indicated by line |0l El of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a schematic view showing a modified form of operating mechanism;

Figure 12 is a schematic view showing another modified form of operating mechanism;

Figure 13 is a cross section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially as indicated by line I3-l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of one form of control medium;

Figure 15 is a similar view, showing another form of control medium;

Figure 16 is a plan view of still another form of control medium;

Figure 17 is a cross section taken substantially as indicated by lines I 1-l1 of Figure 16;

Figure 18 shows a modified form of apparatus employing another form of control medium;

Figure 19 is a schematic view showing still another modified form of the invention; and

Figures 20 and 21 are detailsections taken substantially as indicated by the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 19.

The mechanism of the invention comprises a magnetically permeable element such as a wire or tape which may be continuous or not, and wh ch s. capable of; hav ng a ma netic zon or zone impressed thereon and of retaining such zonesfor a substantial length of time. This element. forms the control medium 6, which is arranged for movement in accordance with the, re.- quirements of the function or functions to, be controlled. Thus, for example, s ch movemen maybe in accordance with the passage. of time. This medium is in effect divided into sections of substantially equal length, the. movement of the medium causing. said sections to be successively brought. into operative. relation with a plurality of magneto-responsive operators 0. Means M are provided for. optionally creating magnetized zones on said. medium in predetermined spaced relation with the operators 0. Thus, after appropriate movement. of the medium 6, which may correspond with a definite time interval, themagnetized. zone will be in operative. relation with one of the operators. Means are. provided to cause such operator to respond to the. magnetized zone so as to beoperated thereby; and. perform a control function.

To enable the preselection to. be. made. for. a de ired time, clock controlled means. are. provided for advancing the control medium 6, the. control. medium being arranged to be disconnected therefrom for independent movement to. bring a. section into operative relation with the magnetizers M to permit creation of a magnetic zone thereon, which section will reach the operators. 0. at the desiredtime. the time at which the operators 0 will be. reached. byany given section and the actuation. of the chosen operator "occur. -Means also are provided fofsel'ctively removing the magnetized. zones on the medium when desired, to prevent. operation, of any of the operators at a particular time or to enable impression of a' magnetic zone. to actuate a different operator.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the. control medium is indicated bythe numeral 6 and is shown, by way of example as a magnetizable wire of. circular' cross section. A rotatable driving. member. 1 is provided for advancing the medium 6, WhlCh. is caused to engage the member I as by. suitable supporting rollers '3 which also. cooperate. with the member 1 to position. the medium 6 laterally. The medium 6 is maintained in positive or. definitive driving relation with the driver. I as by spaced notches or indentations B-m which engage teeth or projections l' -a on the. driver (see Fig,- ure 2) The advance of. the medium fi may. be 0 .1 9. 11. 1.-

ous. or not but in any. event, is. such as. to define Means are provided. for. indicating.

sections of substantially equal length thereon. To simplify the showing, these sections are illustrated as having a length equal to the spacing of the notches 6-1; and are considered as extending between each pair of notches. As shown, the medium 5 is arranged to be advanced continuously a length of one section each fifteen minutes.

For this purpose, an appropriate motor H3 is provided, which may be for example a synchronous clock motor arranged to drive a shaft I l carrying the minute hand 12 of a conventional clock 0 having the usual indicia l3. The hour hand I4 is driven at one twelfth the speed of the minute hand l2 by suitable gearing (not shown) from the shaft II. An indicator I is provided adjacent the clock Q and has similar indicia I5: however the indicia thereof is angularly offset with respect to that of face l3 as will be ex plained hereinafter. A hand I6 corresponding with the minute hand I2- and mounted on a shaft I! is provided; for cooperating with face 15. An hour hand L8. is also provided, being driven from the shaft 11 by appropriate reduction gearing (not. shown),

The shaft ll. is arranged to be driven at the same speed andin the. same direction as shaft I by means of-gears IQ and 23 respectively on said shafts, and adapted to, be. coupled in driving re. lation, by a gear 2t rotatably Supported on a slidably mounted arm 2-2 so, that it can be moved optionally into. and out, oiengagement with the gears 19. and 20. The. driver 1 has a gear 2; in fixed driving relation therewith and connected with gear 19 by an idler gear 24. l hus, with the gear 2'1 in driving relation with gears I9, and 2 0, shaft ii and driver I are driven by the motor Hi. If gear. 2! is moved out of driving relation with gears H1 and 20., shaft H and driver I are disconnected from. the, motor H). A manually operable knob. 2-5v is. rotatably mounted at a desired point for operating. the driver '1, and shaft ll independently of: the. motor 10, being shown for this purpose, by way of example, as arranged to rotate a pinion 216. connected with gear l9 by an idler 21.

The, shaft Hhasa cam member 36 fixed there-, on having raised cam surfacessuch astil-q, 30-h etc., thereon. spacedl Substantially. apart for operating. the switche v 2, 3;, 4. and 35, a will betmorefully, discussed lqiereinaf-ter.

The. magnetizin means. cme se a p u ity. of; substantia l dent cal ma e in ments 36, 3'5, 33 and 39, each having a core extending normally. from th medium 5 and providing. pole faces 3,6;a, B l-a, 38 a and 39 -a. re-

arranged to be selectively connected with a D. (3, source 4 6; by, manually operable switches 4t, 4.2.and 4.3..

The arrangement is such that operation of either one. of the switches cl, 418i or 4.3 energizes the, windings of a pair of adjacent elements 33 and;- 3]; 3i; and 3 8;, or tjeend 33, and causes the pole face thereof to become respectively south and north magnetic poles. Furthermore, the

poles of any pair arealways in the same relation.

Thus, for example, Figure 1 the right hand cleqt ar al? i alw ysn t w a magneticzone is createdfon. the medium 6 having a cesthsibeieet ellr el e isms-Spacing the pole faces, and with the north pole leading as the medium is advanced.

- The switches 4|, 42, 43 and a switch 44, the purpose of which will be set forth presently, are substantially identical, hence only one will be described. Thus, for example, switch 4| comprises upper and lower stationary contacts 4l-a and 4 l-b and a resilient blade 4 1-0 normally closing against the upper contact 4l-a and operable by the push button 4l-d to open the upper contact 4l-a and close against the lower contact 4l-b. Corresponding parts of the other switches are indicated by the addition of corresponding letters to the numerals 42, 43 or 44 as the case may be. Cam operated switch 32 provides an over-riding control as will be pointed out hereinafter and unless closed prevents energization of the windings 36-2), 31-12, etc.

.Switch 32, to be described more fully hereinafter, when closed, connects one lead 45, for example the negative, from the D. C. source 46, with lead 46 which is connected with the upper switch contacts 4i-a, 42-0, and 43-a, as well as with the opposite ends respectively of the endmost magnetic windings 36-1) and 33-1). The other end of winding (iii-b and the opposite end ofthe adjacent winding 3'l-b are connected to switch blade 43-0 by lead 41; similarly, the other end of winding 3'l-b and the opposite end of winding 38-b are connected to switch blade 42-0 by lead 48; and the other end of winding 36-h and the opposite end of winding 39-?) are connected with switch blade 4l-c by lead 49.

The other lead 50 (positive) from the source 40 is connected with the top contact 44-a of the switch 44, switch blade 44-c being connected with each of the lower contacts 4|-b, 42-h and 43-19. Thus, with switches 4|, 42 and 44 in their normal positions and switch 43 operated to close against the contact 43-b, current will flow from the source 41} via lead 50, contact 44-a, switch blade 44-0, contact 43-b, switch blade 43-c, lead 41 to one end of winding 36-1 and the opposite end of Winding 37-h, returning from winding 36-1) via lead 46 and from winding 31-h via lead 48, switch blade 42-0, contact 42-01. to lead 46, and thence via switch 32 and lead 45 to the source 46. Winding 36-1) is spooled so that the associated pole face 36-a becomes a south magnetic pole with the current flow from lead 41 tolead 46. Winding 37-1) is similarly spooled; hence with current flowing in the opposite direction therein (from lead 41 to lead 48) the pole face 3l-a be comes north.

To reduce the number of magnetizers required to impress variously located magnetic zones in any given section of the medium 6, the circuit arrangement is such that the intermediate pole faces 31-71 and 38-a may be either north or south magnetic poles. Thus, with magnetizers 36 and 31 being used to impress the magnetic zone, pole face 3l-a must be north, but if magnetizers 3i and 38 are being used the pole face 3i-a must be south. Similarly, pole face 38-a must be either north or south depending on whether the magnetizer 38 is being used with magnetizer 31 or 39. The windings 36-h, 37-h, 38-b and 39-h are all spooled in the same direction, the appropriate polarity of the associated pole faces being obtained by properly directing the current flow.

, If magnetizers 31 and 38 are to be used, switches 4| and 43 are allowed to remain in their normal positions and switch 42 is operated to close against the lower contact 42-h. Current will then flow via lead 50, switch 44, contact 42-17,

switch blade 42-0, lead 48 to windings 31-1; and

in winding 39-1) to cause pole face 39-11 to become north.

Conventional means may be provided for neutralizing or removing the magnetic zones from the medium 6, or the magnetizers 36, 31, 38 and 39 may be selectively energized with a varying alternating current for removing zones. Thus, the lower contact 44-b of the switch 44 is connected to one terminal of a rheostat 52, the other terminal of the rheostat being connected to one side of a source of A. C. 53 of suitable amplitude. The other side of the source 53 is adapted to be connected to the lead 46 by switch 32. Thus, if switch blade 44-c is depressed to open contact 44-a and close against contact 44-b, one side of the A. C. source 53 will be substituted for the positive lead 50 and operation of switches 4|, 42 or 43 thereafter will selectively energize the windings 36-1), 31-2), etc., as before. However, since the current is alternating, the pole faces ed-a etc., associated with the energized windings will change rapidly from north to south and vice-versa, and as the strength of the magnetic field is reduced by means of the rheostat 52, any magnetism in the adjacent porrespond respectively to magnetic zones impressed on the medium 6 by the pairs of magnetizers 363|, 31-38, and 38-39. tors 60, 6| and 62 are substantially identical, only one will be described, corresponding parts being indicated by the addition of the same letters to numerals 66, 6| or 62 as the case may be. Although these operators are shown as including members movable longitudinally of the control medium in response to the magnetic zones thereon, this is by way of example only, since such members might be otherwise arranged, as for instance, to move transversely of the medium.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, an armature (in-a comprising a bar of magnetic material of low retentivity is pivotally mounted with one end adjacent the medium 6 for movement longitudinally thereof, said end being notched or U- shaped to accommodate the medium 6 and thus reduce the air gap. The opposite end of the bar. Bil-a engages'a resilient switch arm 60-12 which normally maintains arm til-a against a stop BG-d and contacts 60-e, 60- open. 'A winding Bil-g is provided which when energized magnetizes the armature Gil-a, the direction of the winding and the current flow being so chosen that the end of the armature adjacent the medium 6 becomes a south magnetic pole.

The arrangement is such that with the winding 66-g energized, when a magnetic zone is appropriately positioned with respect to the armature Gil-a, the armature will operate the switch arm 60-1) to close the contacts 60-e and 66-f. As previously explained, the magnetizers M are individual Since these opera 7; so arranged-z that: the magnetic zones are i'm-- pressedi with the-north pole leading as the me diinn 5 a'dvanceszi Accordingly; by-e11ergizing;the winding 60-g when-the zone=stradd1es thearmattn'eli-fl a asillustrat'edt' in Figure. 4; very efiective use.zis".made offthe' magnetictflux of the=zonez- While the magnetizers M and the operators: are: described.- as' having. certain: polarities; it is" to'sbeiunderstood that? this :is' byway-of example only; .andith'ei-polarities couldas well Ice-opposite": tox thosei' specified, thezrelationibetween-tliemahee= ingvithe'important feature:

To prevent possible interaction between the armatures 60-a, GI-a and 62-1; such asmight oc---- our? if they: were magnetizedat' the same time, theaswitches 33?; 34 .and 35 arearrange'd to close' successively and-i after thepreceding switch" has: opened?- Thus;asiin'dicatedin Figure 1 the cam engaging portionsrespectively of 'the switches:33-' andifl'; as Wellies oftswitches -S'd"and.3'5; aresep aratedby anglesgreater:thanfthe angular spacingzof the acamasurfacesitfl a. The angularsep' I aration: is; such: that: the. switch 1 33' is closed and opened before switch: 34 isv closed; switch 3 k beingzclosed and opened ibefore'switch35I-is closed, switch:35i'beingropened before switch 331s again: closed;v Accordingly: the coils 6ii"-g; B l-g and E E-glare energized-successively; the operators fifl; 6:1 and msbeing spaced-along the control-medium 6* by an. angular'distance from the" magnetizers 3B; 3]; etc; .differingzfromlthe appropriate number: of: the. eflective sections on the medium by amounts; corresponding: with: the angulardis-- plaoementzofttheiswitches?333 3' l and 35"fi-om 90 separation:. v

Thus, the: switch:.33: is-"arranged to' be closed when an magnetic; zone impressed on the control medium't by magnetizers 31 and SB hasbeen ad--- vanced by movement of the medium a distance corresponding. with; a number of" effective sections,.thexoperator.:6i! being spaced a correspond ingdistancez from. a. point between the xnagnetizers:: 3B?- and; 31; Since switch 34 closes alittlelaterythe operator 61 controlled' thereby-is spaced from:the'-magnetizers 3'! F andi38 by the sameangnlarrdistance plus an :amountsuchthat amag neticr: zone impressed. on: the control: medium* 6 by: thes magnetizers 3.1. and 38 will be in opera-- tivesrelation. with the operator Bil when switch 3lvissc1osed'5' Similarly; the spacing-of operator";

6-22 fronr the corresponding magnetizers 38- and 3951iszincreased in accordance with the later'clos ing: of: switch: so that amagnetic zone created"; on' the" medium 6- by the magnetizers 38 391 will? be: in operative relation: with the operator-:Gimvhen switch 35 is closed.

The: foregoing described preselectoi" mechanismtwilliserve optionally to impress an electricalz. impulse of brief duration on any-'- one of three devices or loads Ii-l; 192 and L-3 *for controlling-the*operationtliereof at the beginning 8 1 H and 15 controlling pre-tuned circuits 2 in the receiver and arranged to:be' deenergized' auto matically at: the end of eachfifteen minute period. Thus; in the mechanism shown; itiwonldz.

1 be possible" to; preselect any one. of three proe grams everyquarten'hour throughout a-twel've hour 'period However; it is' to'be understood that such. windings-may be arranged" to perform any desired control function in: response" to: their.

"' energization.

The. relays 13; M and 15- are substantially identical, hence only on'e. wi11 bead'escribed} it: being understood that corresponding parts" are-r indicated by the=- addition of corresponding let ters to'the appropriatenumeral 13, 1'4' or=15;.as-' the casemawb'e: Thus; relay licomprises-an: electro magnet' 15 a incorporating the winding L-S, which when energized, causesthearmature. 1) to -move' downwardly a'gainst the' forceoffa lightitensionspring 15- c and' actuate a pretuned" circuit-"lira conventional manner. When intit's lower position, the-armature I5 4; closes' against a contact= 154i: establishing a' holding circuit maintaining the winding L-3- energized until the endof the fifteen minute1period' whenthe wind ing is deenergized ina manner to' be discussed presently. Whilethe. relays are shown and de scribed as employing; electrical holding means; it is:to-be understoodthat known stepping relays; orrelays employing mechanical holding meansi may-be'used in lieu thereof if desiredl The switch 32 comprisesa-swit'ch: arm" 32-41 connected with the negative" sideof the D. C.' source iiiby lead 45 and having -front an back 1 contacts adapted respectively to close against" contact 32-h connected withlead 46 and against 1 contact 32-c-connected with-leadT2. The arm" 32-11' hasa: cam engaging surface 32 d thereon for engaging the cam teeth 3ll"a; 304), etc'., soformed" as to maintain the switch arm closed against contact 32 -1) during" a small angular movement of: the cam 30 This provide's some tolerance in the period during which the mag- 1 netic zonesmay be impressed on the" medium 6; obviating-the necessity ofssetting the medium exactly to the: beginning of" the fifteen minute period; ThissurfttcefiZ-d "has a high point: 32- -e adjacent the end firstengaged by the" cam tooth 311 a, etc:

Thearrangement'is "such that switch 'arm' 32-a normallyis closed' against contact 32-c but not against contact 32 -22.- When thehigh point32-e of the cam engaging surface'is engaged" by 'a-cam tooth such as Bil-a, switch arm 32-a opens contact 32-c and 1 closes-contact 32 1);- Theengagement of a camvtooth-with the-high point 32-ecausing openingbfthe contact 3'2-c, is only-momentary after which the contact is again closed by-the arm 32 a,. Howeven the-contact'32-b"is maintainedclosedthereafter for abrief interval as just -pointed out; as'long as the cam tooth is-= in'cngag ementwithsurfaceEZ-d.

The operation'of the mechanism willnow bedesoribedk with a-ll parts as-shown in=Figure1; the control medium 5 is-in position= to ha-vea' magnetic zoneimpressed thereon; being posi tion'ed so that themagnetizers' M- are substan tially intermediate I the ends-of an effective -sec'--- tion thereon; Accordingl3', the" cam 30 is-posi tionecl to close-switch contact 32 -b1asajust dis cussed, connecting 1ead 4-5'--with the-negative side of 'the D. C.source' w 'by-lead 45.- Assume notv" that-switchx 4 I is closectbriefly toenergizemagnetizers-38 and 39' and impress a' magnetic zoneon'the medium 6 Themotorl0 leeing in 'operartion, the medium 6 advances and since the abovementioned zone is separated from the operators by four sections, it will take approximately one hour for this zone to reach the operators. Thus, the clock C which indicates a quarter past six when the zone is impressed will indicate a quarter past seven when the selection becomes eifective, which is the time shown by the indicator I when the selection was made.

As the control medium 6 is advanced from impulse receiving position, corresponding rotation of cam 30 causes cam tooth surface 30-11, to release switch 32 allowing it to open so that the magnetizers 36 to 39 can no longer be energized until movement of the medium 6 brings another section thereof into proper relation with the magnetizers at which time corresponding rotation of cam 30 will have brought another cam surface 35-h into position to again close switch 32. In this way, the impression of magnetic zones on the medium 6 other than in proper and consistent spaced relation with respect to the operators O is prevented.

A magnetic zone impressed by magnetizers 38 and 39 is to actuate the operator 62, the operators 6| and 60 being for actuation by zones impressed by magnetizers 3'! and 38, and 36 and 3! respectively. To insure actuation of the selected load as well as accurate timing of the energization and deenergization thereof, the switches 33, 34 and 35 control energization of the loads L-l, L-2 and 1-3 respectively in addition to controlling energization of the operator coils Eli-g, Gi-g and 62-g.

.Switch 35 is typical and comprises a switch arm 35-a shown as engaged by cam tooth 30-h to close against the front contact of an arm 35-12. This establishes a circuit from positive lead 56 through lead 36 to winding 62-9 and thence via leads 61, switch arms 35-11 and 35-1) and lead 45 to D. C. source 40, magnetizing the armature 52-11, which acts in response to the magnetic zone previously created by magnetizers 38 and 39 to close contacts 62-e and 62-f.

Closing of the contacts 62-e and 62- does not cause energization of the winding L-3. Thus, switch 35 has an arm 35-0 with a contact adapted to be closed by a back contact on arm 35-h just after contact 35-11 is closed and connected to the switch arm carrying contact 62- by lead 68. The arm carrying the other contact 62-e is connected to one terminal of the winding 1-3 by lead 59, the other terminal being connected to the positive lead 50. Thus, the winding 1-3 is energized by the closing of contact 35-0 which occurs after the closing of the contacts 62-e and 62-f, ensuring accurate timing of such energization as well as avoiding the need of closing the contacts BZ-e and 62-funder load. Conversely, the contact 35-c is opened before the contact 35-11 is opened.

Energization of the electro-magnet 15-0. causes movement of the armature 15-h to attracted position which as previously pointed out may operate conventional mechanism connecting a pretuned circuit for operation in a radio receiver, and establishes a holding circuit maintaining the winding L-3 energized independently of contacts 62-9 and 52- and 35-0. This holding circuit is from the positive lead 50, through the winding L-3', lead iii-e, contact TS-d, contact l5-f on the armature 55-1), lead "H3, normally closed switch H, lead E2, normally closed contact 32-0, switch arm 32-(1. to the source 40 via lead 45. These conditions prevail until just prior to the close of the fifteen minute period, when the rotation of cam 30 causes cam tooth 30-h to engage the high point 32-e, opening contact 32-c. This deenergizes the winding L-3 releasing the armature 15-12 which returns to initial position, and all parts are ready for another cycle of operations. Thus, the winding L-3 is deenergized independently of the contacts 62-e and 52- which thus are not required to open under load. In the event that a holding circuit is not used for the winding L-3, the opening of the contact 35-0 before contact 35-11 is opened, will likewise avoid the opening of contacts 62-e and 62-f under load.

The windings til-g and -9 of the operators BI and 60 are similarly energized by switches 34 and 33 respectively at appropriate times to coincide with the arrival of magnetized zones created by magnetizers 31 and 38, or by 36 and 31 in operative relation with the respective operators. The switches 34 and 33 also control the energization of windings L-2 and L-l respectively, the relay magnets Hi-a and l3-a subject to the closing of the switch contacts Gl-e and iii-f, and GU-c and 30-1 of the operators GI and 69. The relays 14 and 13 have holding circuits similar to that just described in connection with relay l5, and the windings L-2 and L-I are deenergized at the end of the fifteen minute period by the opening of contact 32-0.

As discussed hereinbefore, in the embodiment of Figure l, the magnetic zones are impressed on the control medium 6 four sections behind the operators, or on a time basis, one hour before they reach the operators 0. Accordingly, the indicia 15 on the indicator I is positioned one hour behind that of the clock C. Thus, as shown, the hands of the clock C indicate 6:15; this however is not necessarily an indication of time but may be considered more accurately an indication of the position of the medium 6 with respect to the operators 0. The hands of the indicator I show 7:15 which is the indication that clock C will give when the magnetic zone impressed in this position of the control medium 6 will actuate the selected operator. Similarly, the indicator I may be considered as showing the position of the control medium 6 with respect to the magnetizers M.

To enable the actuation of a selected operator at a chosen future time, the control medium 6 is arranged to be moved independently of the driving motor ID, the time at which any effective section of the control medium 6 will reach the operating position being shown by the indicator I. Thus, by moving the gear 2! to disconnected position and operating the knob 25 until the time at which the selected operation is desired to occur is shown by the indicator I, the proper section on the medium is in position to have a magnetic zone impressed thereon by a chosen pair of the magnetizers M, which for this purpose are then energized as previously discussed. The medium 6 may then be adjusted to bring another section into'position for having a magnetic zone created thereon by the same or a different pair of the m-agnetizers, to actuate a desired operator at a different time as shown by the indicator I. As many zones as desired up to the total number which the medium 6 is capable of receiving may be impressed in this way, any unwanted zones being removed as previously discussed. While the gear 2| is in the disconnect position switch H is open, preventing energization of the load windings 13-a, 14-a and 15-01..

To restore the mechanism to operative condition after the impression of such zone or zones, the knob 25 is rotated to bring the indicator hands I:6:and I18 into positions corresponding with the clock hands I2 and il4,.as shown inlEigure 1, and :arm ZE is moved to return the gear 2| Ito engage- :ment with gears wand-20: so thatitheLmedium'S will'be advanced by the motor. I iJ.

Advance-of the medium 6 to a position for receiving-a magnetic zone for apreselected-operation at a future :time, may :cause previously impressed zones toreach-the operators'O at other thanthe proper times for energizing the loads L-I, L-2, or L 3. Accordingly, means are provided preventingenergization of the loads' 'whenever 'the' medium Sis disconnected-from the drivirigrnotor I'G. Thus, thecommon lead ID from the1oads L-I, L-"Z and L-3 is connected-tonne side of a normally closed switch I I ,theo'ther side 'being 'connectedby leads T2 to switch contact 32-0 as previously discussed. The switch I may be arranged to 'be opened in any suitable manner 'inresponse tomcvement of the gear-2| to azpos'itiondn which gears I9 and ZG-are disconnected.

'An 'alternative 'form or apparatus 'for demagnetizing the control medium-t is shown in' Figure *5. This form comprises an electromagnet illlhav- 'ing a pole piece extending normally of the plane *of E the medium with an :ie'longate'd pole face 3 I closely spaced from the medium. This pole i'ace -8I has a length approximately equal 'to that of one of the effective sections on the medium, so all magnetism in the section can be removed by 1 asingle'operation.

This form of demagnetizer can be used with *the -apparatu-s or Figure l instead of the arrange- =ment' disclosed therein,'-the=magnet 8il being positione'd tdbe inoperative relation with that-sec-' tion of the medium F 8 adjacentthe magnetizing means' M andataright angle withrespect to'the magnetizers' $6, 33 I etc.

The winding of the electro-magnet :is "ar- 'range'dto loe'connected'with one=terminal of an -As'Cxsource 82403 a manually operable switch= 83,

a 'rheostat '84 between the *source 2 and the switch 5 83 serving to "vary the current. A cam operated switch 85 *is interposed between the other terminal of *source 82 and the :winding 1 of r the magnet Bil, and serves to prevent=energiza- "tion'of the magnet til exeeptwhen a section in the control medium is properly positioned with respect "to the magnet. "For example, :the .1 cam member 36 operating switch tfi may be the same as cam 30 and be-"driven with the medium 5 in the'manner of the cam member 30 of Figural.

Figure 0 shows an arrangement wherein the "magnetizing means M comprises anindependent pair'of magnets for impressing each magnetic zone'onr the control medium 6. 'This'enalcles :the

optional creation of a plurality'of zoneszinathe same'section ofthe'mediumfi for causing simultaneous operation of any or all-of the loads L4,

etc. Furtheig any'zone or zonesunay heire- "moved "selectively desired without effecting otherzones inthe section. It is to be understood 'tl'iat the medium 6 isdrivenin the samemanner as shown 'in Figure l and serves to actuate a similar group of operators 0.

The magnets are indicated "by the numerals adjacent the medium 6 and accommodated-within the length of one o'i'the efiective sections-on the medium 5. The magnets 'have :energizing windings 9I-b, 9247, etc arranged toheoptionally connected "with the D. i C. .:source 90. The

'spooling "of the windings and the I direction of *the current are 'so related that -the odduiumbered north magnetic poles. with the north'pole leading, similar t'to those :of the firstdescribed former the inventionmay be is connected *with the bottom contacts L4 "pole faces when :energizedbecome. southmagnetic poles, the'even numbered pole faces becoming Thus, .magnetic zones impressed on the medium-6.

.As shownbyway of example, the 'Win'dingsS I-b,

5249, -etc., areall-spooledin-the same direction and the current is caused'to fiow inoppositelih rections in each pair of windings. Thus, the negative lead "9'l,-'corresponding to lead46 in Fig- 'ure '1, is connected'with the upper endso'f the windingsflkbfifiii b and -S'E-b, and with the lower ends of the windings 2-b,s4-b, and 9642. The

positive lead- 98 is connected with the uppercontact SQ-a of a'switch 93 which is normally-closed against the switch arm Sis-b. Switch arm ilt-b Ifit a, Ifll a, and 22-0., of the'norm-ally open switches I00, IilI andiili' respectively 'bylead-ifiii.

Arm 100-19 of'switch an is connectedby lead I95 with the lowerend of winding 9 l-"b and'the upper end of Winding E 'Z-b. 'Thus iiswitchlflfl 'is closed, current will'fiow from the-135C. source 90 via-lead 98, contact-99 a,'arm99 b, lead I03, contact Milka, arm mil-b, lead I134 to'windings *9 I-b and .92-13; thence via-the negative. ieadffilto the D. C. source. itbeing understood that the'lead 91 isconnected to'thc source through acam controlled switch having a switch 'arm'such. as "32:27 or switch:32 of-Figure 1,.and'a normally open.:contact 32-h, to insure properlocation or the im- 'pressedmagneticzones onthe control mediumz'S.

similarly, switch arm IfiI-b, is .connecte'clby lead I05 toWindingsH'S-"b'an-d 94-1 andswitch .arm I924; isconnccted'hy lead I E16 to windings $54) andfQG-b, so'that closing of switch [III .or

the .medium 6, switch arm 59% is operated .to

open the .contactiflilaa. and closeagainst. the. contactf99ec. This substitutes one side of..the.A..C.

. source Hi3 for the,positive.lead.-98sothatupon closing any of theswitches. IMAM and N32,.alter- .nating current, varied by therheostat I Iiwillbe supplied tothe associated windings 9 I-92, 93 94 and .9.5-.9E,-erasing the-zone as before.

It is possibleto. eliminate the energizing windings as provided .on the previously: discussed forms of magnetizers, and. employ permanent magnets for. this purpose. Thus, Figures 8, fiend-.10 show magnetizing. meanswherein permanent horse-shoe .magnets -I I5, I I6:and -I I"! .are provided forim- .pressing.magnetic-zones on the control. medium 6.

These -magnets .are independently movably mounted :with their pole-faces normally-spaced :at

a distance'from thercontrohmedium 6 such that the control medium isunaffected thereby, means being provided for roptionally. moving any of the magnets to bringthepole. faces thereof into the immediate proximityof thezmedium Brtocause a magnetic zone to he impressed thereon.

Thus, as shown iii-Figures 8 and 9, the magnets II5, llfiand II'1 respectively:have hinge plates I I57a, i Iii-a. and; I I'i-a secured thereonihy theiaid {of which the: magnets are 4 pivotally mounted 1' for :indcpendenhmovemenh .ona supporting: bar I I8.

13 Operating keys H8, I and I2I are provided for manipulating the magnets H5, H6 and In respectively, the keys having stems II9-a, I 20-a and I2 I-a slidable in frame members I22 and I23, and secured to the respective hinge plates to move therewith. A compression spring I24, confined between each of the keys II9, I20, and I2I and the frame bar I22 or I23, normally urges the associated magnet to inactive position. When it is desired to impress a magnetic zone on the medium 6, pressure is exerted on the appropriate key to swing the magnet controlled thereby into operative relation with the control medium 6, the resultant magnetic zone being substantially the same as that formed in the previously described forms of the invention.

Means are provided to insure proper placement of the magnetic zones on the medium 6 with respect to the efiective sections thereon, as previously discussed. For this purpose a reciprocable latch bar I26 is slidably mounted in a suitable channel formed in the frame member I23 (see Figure 16) and is normally maintained in engagement with notches I20-b and I2I-b respectively in key stems I20-a and I2I-a by a compression spring I21, preventing movement of the keys I20 and I2I.

The bar I26 has a pair of spaced openings I28 and I23 which upon appropriate movement of the bar I26 against the force of spring I21 are f= adapted to align with the stems I20-a and I2 I-a and release the keys I20 and I2I. A solenoid I30 is provided for moving the latch bar I26 to key releasing position, when energized. A similar latch bar I3I operated by solenoid I32 is provided for normally preventing operation of key H3.

The solenoids I30 and I32 are arranged to be supplied with current by leads I33 and I34 corresponding respectively with leads 46 and 50 of the first described form of the mechanism and energized similarly by a cam operated switch upon arrival of the medium 6 in proper position to have a magnetic zone impressed thereon.

It is also possible to eliminate the energizing coils'for the operator armatures, and employ permanently magnetized bars for the armatures. Thus, in Figure 11, a plurality of operators I40, HI and I42 are shown corresponding respectively with the operators 60, 6| and 62, having permanently magnetized armatures I40-a, I4 I-,a and I42-a, and pivotally mounted with their south magnetic poles adjacent the control medium 6 for limited movement longitudinally thereof. The armatures I40-a, I4I-a and I42-a respectively are adapted to operate the switch contacts I40-e and I40-f, I4I-e and I4I-f, and I42-e and I42-f to close, and are urged against the stops I40-d, I4I-d and I 42-d. by the resilient switch arms I40-b, I4I-b and I42b.

A modified form of switching arrangement is provided for controlling the energization of the loads in connection with the switch contacts I42-e, I42f, etc. Thus, a rotatable cam mem ber I35 is provided, corresponding with the cam member 30 of Figure 1 and arranged to close a switch I36 each time an effective section of the control medium 6 arrives in operating relation with respect to the operators 0. These operators are spaced along the control medium 6 in accordance with the spacing of the magnetizers, so that a magnetic zone impressed by any of the magnetizers will reach the corresponding operator after substantially the same amount of advance of the control medium. Accordingly, only the operator or operators corresponding with the relation with the chosen operator.

chosen magnetizer or magnetizers will be in position after such advance, closing the corresponding switch or switches I40-e and I40-f, I4I-e and I4I-f or I42-e and I42-f. Thus, by providing the switch I36 in series with each of these switches and which is arranged to close after the arrival of the magnetic zone in operative relation with the appropriate operator, energization of the chosen load is assured.

To prevent displacement of the armatures I40-a, etc., due to the interaction of their magnetic fields, permanent magnets I43 and I44 having the same polarity and strength as the armatures I40-a, etc., are fixed respectively adjacent the outermost armatures I40a and I42-a at suitable distances therefrom, to neutralize these fields so that the armatures are magnetically balanced and will respond properly to a magnetic zone when present, on the control medium 6.

The armatures of either type of operator may be arranged to mechanically perform control of a function if desired. Such an arrangement is illustrated schematically in Figures 12 and 13, the armatures I50, I5I and I52 being shown by way of example as of the permanent magnet type, just discussed. The outer ends of the armatures are provided respectively with abutment forming means I-a, I5I-a and I52-a adapted to overlay slots I53, I54 and I55 in a stationary member I56 upon movement of the armature in response to a magnetic zone on the medium 6. The armatures I56, I5I and I52 are normally maintained against their respective stops I50-b, I5I-b, and I52-b by light torsion springs I50-c, I5I-c and I52-c in which position the abutment forming means clear the respective slots, as shown in Figure 12.

A plurality of magnetic members I51, I50 and I59 are slidably supported in a bar I60 adjacent the ends of the armatures I50, I5I and I52 carrying the abutment forming means and have rocker arms I6I, I62 and I63 pivotally mounted on their upper ends respectively. A light com pression spring I64 is provided for respectively urging each member I51, I58 and I59 to its upper position. Corresponding ends of the rocker arms I6 I, I62 and I63 extend respectively over the slots I53, I54 and I55 which they are adapted to enter freely, the opposite ends engaging the spring pressed plungers I65, I66 and I61 which it is desired to actuate. A common solenoid I68 is prgvided for operating the members I 51, I58 and The arrangement is such that the solenoid I68 when energized draws the members I51, I58 and I59 simultaneously downward. With the armatures in their normal inoperative positions, slots I53, I54 and I 55 are unobstructed so that the rocker arms I6I, I62 and I63 tilt downwardly about their respective ends on the plungers I65, I66, and I61, their opposite ends freely entering the respective slots.

If however one or more of the armatures, for example the one marked I 5i, has been moved to its operative position by a magnetic zone on the control medium 6 so that the abutment forming means I5I-a blocks the slot I54, the rocker arm I62 will be caused to tilt downwardly about said means so that its opposite actuates the plunger The solenoid I63 is appropriately energized upon the arrival of a magnetic zone in operative For this purpose, a cam operated switch such a I36 in the previously :Ilescribed 1; form 120i rmechanism qmay be: employed.

.rAs previously dedicated, :t-he "zcontrol imedium s:5:,'may:;be :az magneticallyl permeableewire oigtape mtsmailzcross. section. anetic retentivityaanld havesar capabilitycof mag- ;netizing :in'a lengthwise :direction. ,--As an ex- :ample ofzoa'zsuitable material, wireihaui-ng a di- .It should beef. high magameter of .055" and commercially: available'un- "derthetrade nameziof ":fEunifeWis cited. -:The length :of the *wire: or tsmedium i required:v depends :01'1 thes number-oisselections: to-beraccommodated.

zit onlyra-fewzselectionsaremequired, the medium may bei in: theiform of'1-a: single .loop, aSShOWII in T Figure: 14,: or otherwise.

.=If uthet desired :number of selections :is; such; as tosrequire; a; loop which. is momentarily large,= the medium I may the in athe dorm :of ;a helix .1 F was shown inyFigurei 15,: or itwinay .be jumble Wound.

In either case, the endmost turn or loop ismaintained spaced :from the other :turns as ;by the driver I! and-supporting rollers ilgtherot-hera turns L'bein-g: supportedlas hyrla rollerzor. hook? I'E I "Ro tation. oflthe helix by thezdriver' 'I-"Willscause;the medium. to. pass; over .Lthe driverz to". the outer-rend of "the helix J thence into i:the helix. andiback -.to "the-driver, the resilience of:therwiretservingto maintain .the'form of thewinding.

"If theh'el'lx isrof sufficient lengthitimay :be arranged a a :toroid 1112, Figure 16. .=Additional "means may berprovidedt-for supporting and guiding the toroid H2"comprisingha concaveannular pan l l=3 (Figures lfiz-and 17) in whichithe wind- 'ing-slidinglyrests.

' The control:medium-optionally may be straight t th magnetizers Mwandrmagneto responsive operators 2 O appropriately 1 arranged as shown; in Figure 18. These magnetizers and-goperators may be of any of th 1 types :fdiscussed hereinbefore.

The medium ll-5 *ma :be ,"discontinuous, t'being wound 'on a drum or spool l I'll-J6 driven at a suitable rate from-a drumill'l, themagnetizersand operators being intermediate said "drums. If preferred themedium I may i'be .rCOIltiIlllOLlS passing between the drums H6 and ll"! =in the =manner of belt as indicated by the broken line It is not necessarythat. the'magnetizers M be positioned :at a distance along the medium 6 :from the operators 0 as inthegpreviously discussed'iorms of the invention;sthermagnetizers :may be displaced angularly about the medium 6 from the operators :as shownin Figures "19, '20 and 21, and so positioned that a magnetic zone create'd by the magnetizers :Wi'll l be P in actuating position with the proper operator without the necessity of'movingthemedium 6. However, in -such= anarrangement the medium 6 i arranged "for movement-as before, enabling preselection of the operator to be actuated. Suchan'arrange- -ment has important advantages-in that the ap paratus may be -more compact and the indicia on the indicator I is not required to be angularly offset with respectto that of the clock C.

The driving and switching'arrangements in the -form of Figure ,19 may beidentical withthose inthe form ofFig-ure land accordinglywill be 'referredlto only briefly as it is believed readily understood that-the switches 32,33, and '35 .andtheir operation by cam will be unchanged since the magnetizers M in the modified form of YFigureMIQH-areudisplacedalong themedium 6 by .aydistance corresponding with oneihours move- .mentpf the medium and one complete revolution. ofthe cam 3 0.

' Referring to.,Eigures 19,;20 and .2 l-theoperators are, indicated by-thenumerals 250,25 I, an d=262 and are shown as --substantially identical with the operators "653,5! oand:62 of Figure 11, other parts similarlybearing the numeral of the1corresponding-partin Figure '1 with the addition of the number two,hundred. .Themagnetizers 236, 231, 238-and239 thus correspond respectively'with' the magnetizers436, -3'I, 38 and-390i :Fig- ,ure 1, but as:clearlyshown;inFigures 20 andZl are disposed at an angle about the medium :6 with respect-to the. operators 0, shown= by Way .01" exampleias -a right-angle, and straddling the respective operators .288, 26! and :252 so thatfla magneticzone created-entire medium by :anyadjacent pair of the magnetizers will be properly positioned' to actuate; the respective operator without the ::need of -;rnoving the control medium Accordingly, the indicia t2 t5 :of "the indicator :1 Whichshows theitime at,-Whi8h a;pr-eselected-..oporation isvto occur-is consistent :-with the indicia on the face :2l3 of the clock-Ctwhich indicates the position; of the mediumyfi.

By; manipulatingthe army 22 2. to disconnect the driver 20?, .the control g-medium 3 may be advanced-bymeans-ofsknobflzfi to have a Ixragnetic zone impressed therein for actuati :a :chosen operator at. a future: time,gshown' bytheind-icator I, in the samemannerras, inlthe form-ofiFigured. Such disconnecting generation 1 opens 'zthe IuSWj-tfi-h .21 I correspondingatois'witch'f'l i ,:preventingcenergizationof the load windings asiingthel-formeof Figure 1, until the medium-,5i-isyreconnectedin driving relation with the clockJC.

I claim:

1.111 a 'g-preselector amechanism: :a :movable, elongated magnetically permeable control 'me- :dium, having a--plura1ity of :substamtially equal sections thereon {defined ::by units ref advance;

rmeans: 1 or.v advancing :said medium:along-aspr-edetermined path; 22in operator adapted tea-respond to v .a magnetic: zone: on said: medium; :optionally :opera-ole; magnetizing means. positionedwadiacent saidzvpathr andspace'd from said operator; leans rendering :said; magnetizing'means effective .upon

' successive: operations; to impress amagnetic zone -;on said' :rnedhim at at correspondingpoln t in each of said sections; and: means rendering said-operator effective upon arrival. of said-corresponding place in: each section Lin predetermined relation withthe operator.

(2. In ta preselector mechanism: a :movable, elongated magnetically permeable-control merdium, having a :plurality of :substantially equal sections-thereon defined byunits of a'dvance;

said 'medium independently of said advancing means to alter the numberof sections between said zone and said operator; and means -rendermg said operator'effectiveupon arrivalof said corresponding place in each section'in predeter- -mined relation with theoperator.

3.In a preselector mechanism: a movable, 'elongatedmagnetically permeable control medium, having a plurality "of substantially equal sections thereon defined Jby ,units .ofadvance; means; for advancing saidlmejdium ,along a .pre-

determined path; means indicating the advance of said medium along said path; an operator adapted to respond to a magnetic zone on said medium; optionally operable magnetizing means positioned adjacent said path and spaced from said operator; means for moving said medium independently of said advance; means rendering said magnetizing means effective upon successive operations, to impress a magnetic zone on said medium at a correspondin point in each section indicator means indicating the independent movement of said medium; and means optionally connecting said indicator for indicating the advance of said medium.

4. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for advancing said medium along a predetermined path in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a normally inoperative operator; optionally operable means positioned adjacent said path and spaced from said operator along said medium, for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium; means for rendering said impressing means operable respectively at corresponding points in said sections; and means rendering said operator operative upon arrival of said points in predetermined relation with said operator.

5. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated, magnetically permeable control medium; means including a member in positive driving relation with said. medium, for advancing said medium in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a normally inoperative operator; optionally operable means spaced from said operator along said medium, for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium; means including a switch operated in response to movement of said member, for rendering said impressing means operable respectively at corresponding points in said sections; and means rendering said operator operative upon arrival of said points in predetermined relation with said operator.

6. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated, magnetically permeable control medium; means including a member in positive driving relation with said medium, for advancing said medium in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a normally inoperative operator; optionally operable means spaced from said operator along said medium, for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium; means for rendering said impressing means operable respectively at corresponding points in said sections; and means including a switch operated in response to movement of said member, for rendering said operator operative upon arrival of said point in predetermined rela tion with said operator.

7. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means including a member in positive driving relation with said medium, for advancing said medium in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a normally inoperative operator; optionally operable means spaced from said operator along said medium, for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium; means including a switch operated in response to movement of said member, for rendering said impressing means operable respectively at corresponding points in said sections; and means including a switch operated in response to further movement of said member, for rendering said operator operative upon arrival of said point in predetermined relation with said operator.

8. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated, magnetically permeable control medium; means including a member in positive driving relation with said medium, for advancing said medium in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a normally inoperative operator; optionally operable means spaced from said operator along said medium, for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium; and means for rendering said impressing means as well as said operator, operable at corresponding points respectively in said sections including common switch means operated in response to movement of said member.

9. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for advancing said medium in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a normally inoperative operator; optionally operable means spaced from said operator along said medium, for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium; means driven synchronously with the advancement of said medium for rendering said impressing means operable at corresponding points of the respective sections; optionally operable only means for erasing said zone; and means driven synchronously with the advancement of said medium rendering said operator operative upon arrival of said points in predetermined relation with said operator.

10. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for advancing said medium in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a magneto-responsive operator; a permanent magnet mounted for movement toward and away from said medium; means urging said magnet away from said medium; optionally operable means for urging said magnet toward said medium to impress a magnetic zone thereon; and means operating synchronously with such advancement to render said optionally operative means operative only when predetermined portions of said sections lie opposite said magnet.

11. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for advancing said medium in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a magneto-responsive operator; a permanent magnet mounted for movement toward and away from said medium; means urging said magnet away from said medium; latch means for preventing movement of said magnet toward impressing position; electro-magnetic releasing means for said latch; and switch means operated in accordance with the movement of said medium for releasing said latch upon arrival of a corresponding point of each section in zone impressing position.

12. In a preselector mechanism: an elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for optionally impressing a magnetic zone at a chosen point on said medium, said means comprising at least three magnetic poles substantially uniformly spaced along a portion of said medium, and means for selectively operating any pair of adjacent poles to increase their field strength with respect to said medium.

13. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; an operator having an armature mounted with one end adjacent said medium for movement longitudinally thereof; and means including a switch for rendering said operator effective to perform a control function in response to said zone and means operated in synchronism with the movement of said medium past said armature end for operating said switch only when predetermined portions of said medium are adjacent said armature end.

14. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; means including a member in positive driving relation with said medium, for advancing said medium; an operator having an armature mounted with one end adjacent said medium for movement longitudinally thereof; and means including a switch operated by said member for rendering said operator effective to perform a control function in response to said zone.

15. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; an operator having an armature mounted with one end adjacent said medium for movement longitudinally thereof; an energizing winding for said armature; and means including a switch operative to energize said winding to cause said operator to respond to said zone and perform a control function and means operated in synchronism with the movement of said medium past said armature end for operating said switch only when predetermined portions of said medium are adjacent said armature end.

16. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; an operator having an armature mounted with one end adjacent said medium for movement longitudinally thereof; switch means operable by movement of said armature in response to said zone; and mechanism including a switch operative in accordance with the movement of said medium to render said switch means eiTective to perform a control function when operated; and means operated in synchronism with the movement of said medium past said armature for operating said switch only when predetermined portions of said medium is adjacent said armature end.

17. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone theron; means including a member in positive driving relation with said medium, for advancing said medium; an operator having an armature mounted with one end adjacent said medium for movement longitudinally thereof; switch means operable by movement of said armature in response to said zone; and means including a switch operated by said member for rendering said switch means effective to perform a control function when operated.

18. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; an operator having an armature mounted with one end adjacent said medium for movement longitudinally thereof; an abutment carried by said armature; a rocker arm having one end adapted to engage said abutment and the opposite end adapted to engage a plunger; a magnetic member pivoted to said arm intermediate its ends; means resiliently urging said arm and said member to inactive position; a solenoid energized in accordance with the movement of said medium, for moving said arm and said member to active position; said arm normally clearing said abutment; movement of said armature in response to said zone positioning said abutment to engage said arm, whereby to actuate said plunger upon movement to active position.

19. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated, magnetically permeable control medium; means including a member in positive driving relation with saidmedium, for advancing said medium in a. manner to defin sections of substantially equal length therealong; a plurality of normally inoperative operators spaced along said medium with the length of one of said sections; a corresponding number of optionally operable means, spaced within the length of one of said sections for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium; means including a switch operated in response to movement of said member, for rendering said impressing means operable respectively' at corresponding points in said sections; and means rendering the corresponding operator operative when said points are in predetermined relation with said operator.

20. In a preselector mechanism: a control medium comprising a movable flexible elongated magnetically permeable member; and a rotatable member having a circular surface engaging said flexible member, said members respectively having coengaging projections and recesses for maintaining said members in definit driving relation with respect to each other.

21. In a preselector mechanism: a control medium comprising a movable flexible elongated magnetically permeable member, said member being continuously curved; and a rotatable member having a circular surface engaging said flexible member, said members respectively having coengaging projections and recesses for maintaining said mem cers in definite driving relation with respect to each other.

22. In a preselector mechanism: a movable magnetically permeable control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; an operator adapted to respond to said zon to perform a control function; means including a driven member for advancing said medium to bring said zone to actuating position with respect to said operator; driving means connected to said driven member; clutching means for optionally disconnecting said driving means from said driven means to permit independent movement of said medium; and

, means operated by said clutching means preventing performance of said control function when said driving means is disconnected.

23. In a preselector mechanism: a movable magnetically permeable control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; an operator adapted to respond to said zone to control energization of a load circuit; means including a driven member for advancing said medium to bring said zone to actuating position with respect to said operator; driving means connected to said driven member; clutching means for optionally disconnecting said driving means from said driven member to permit independent movement of said medium; and switch means operated in response to disconnection of said driving means from said driven member to prevent energization of said load circuit.

24.111 a preselector mechanism; a magnetically permeable control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon, means including a driving member for moving said zone into and out of. actuating position; an operator adapted to re spond to said zone when in actuating position, to control energization of a load circuit; means maintaining said circuit energized after movement of said zone out of actuating position; and means controlled by said driving member for deenergizing said circuit after a predetermined including a cam-operated switch controlled bysaid driving member for deenergizing said circuit.

after a predetermined time interval.

26. In a preselector mechanism: a magnetically permeable control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; means including a driven member for advancing said medium to bring said zone into and out of actuating position; an operator adapted to respond to said zone when in actuating position, to control energization of a load circuit; means maintaining said circuit energized after movement of said zone out of actuating position; means including a cam switch operated by said driving means for deenergizing said circuit after a predetermined advance of said medium; optionally operable means including clutching means for permitting movement of said medium independently of movement of said driving means; and means including a switch operated by said clutching means for preventing energization of said circuit during independent movement of said medium.

27. In a preselector mechanism: a magnetically permeable control medium adapted to have a magnetic zone thereon; means including a driven member for advancing said medium to bring said zone into and out of actuating position; means including clutching means for optionally disconnecting said driving means from said medium to permit independent movement of said medium; an operator adapted to respond to said zone when in actuating position to cause energization of a load Winding; means forming a holding circuit for maintaining said winding energized after movement of said zone out of actuating position;

a pair of switch means in said circuit operable to I energize said winding; and second. means including a switch operated by said clutching means for preventing energization of said winding when said driving means is disconnected from said medium.

28. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for moving said medium along a predetermined path in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a normally inoperative operator; optionally operable means positioned adjacent said path and for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium in actuating relation with said operator; means for rendering said impressing means operable respectively at corresponding points in said sections as the medium is moved; and means rendering said operator responsive to said zone when in actuating relation with said operator.

29. In a method of controlling an operation, the steps which comprise: advancing a movable medium through a detection region, said movable medium having an activating zone of predetermined character impressed locally thereon within at least two but not all of a series of successive sections thereof, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears on each of said sections at predetermined times as said movable medium passes through said detection region, and initiating the operation or not at each of said times in accordance with whether or not an activating zone exists on the section of said movable medium located in the detection region at each of the respective times.

30. In a method of controlling an operation, the steps which comprise: advancing a movable medium through a detection region, said movable medium having an activating zone of predetermined character impressed locally thereon within at least two but not all of a series of successive sections thereof, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears on each of said sections at predetermined times as said movable medium passes through said detection region, initiating the operation or not at each of said times in accordance with whether or not an activating zone exists on the section of said movable medium located in the detection region at each of the respective times, and whenever said operation has been initiated at any of such times discontinuing said operation before the next predetermined time.

31. In a method of controlling an operation, the steps which comprise: impressing an activating zone of predetermined character upon some of a series of successive sections of a movable medium but not in others, advancing said movable medium through a detection region while such zones are impressed on said medium, whereby said successive sections of said medium enter said region at predetermined times, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears on each of said sections at the successive times, and initiating the operation or not at each of said times in accordance with whether or not an activating zone exists in said region at that time.

32. In a method of controlling a plurality of operations, the steps which comprise: establishing Within a series of successive sections of a movable medium a position in each section corresponding to each of said operations, creating an activating zone in each of at least two of said positions in different sections, advancing said movable medium through a detection zone having a plurality of detecting positions therein, each detecting position corresponding to one of said operations, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears in each of said detecting positions at predetermined times as said movable medium passes through said region, and initiating each of said operations or not at each of said times in accordance with whether or not an activating zone exists at the respective detection positions at each of said times.

33. In a method of controlling a plurality of operations, the steps which comprise: establishing within a series of successive sections of a movable medium a position in each section corresponding to each of said operations, creating activating zones in some different positions in different sections, advancing said movable medium through a detection zone having a plurality of detecting positions therein, each detecting position corresponding to one of said operations, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears in each of said detecting positions at predetermined times as said movable medium passes through said region, and initiating each of said operations or not at each of said times in accordance with whether or not an activating zone exists at the respective detection positions at each of said times.

34. In a method of controlling a plurality of operations, the steps which comprise: establishing within a series of successive sections of a movable medium a. position in each section corresponding to each of said operations, creating only one activating zone in each of several different sections, at least one of said zones being created in a different position than another, ad-

vancing said movable medium through a detection zone having a plurality of detectingpositions therein, each detecting position corresponding to one of said operations, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears in each of said detecting positions at predetermined times as said movable medium passes through said region, and whenever an activating zone is detected at one of said detecting positions at such times initiating the corresponding operation.

35. In a method of controlling an operation, the steps which comprise: advancing successive sections of a movable medium into an activating region located a predetermined distance alon a selected path from a detecting region, creating an activating zone of predetermined character within some of said successive sections but not within others while said medium is located in said :activating region, adjusting the position of said medium along said path to establish a predetermined spacial relationship between said secenters said detection region in accordance with whether or not an activating zone exists in said detecting region at the time.

Y 36. In a method of controlling a plurality of operations, thesteps which comprise: advancing successivesections of a movable medium into an activating region located a predetermined distance along a selected path from a detecting region, each of said sections having an activationsensitive position therein corresponding to one of said operations, said detecting region having a plurality of detecting positions differently located therein, said detecting positions corresponding to the respective operations, creating activating .zones at difierent activation-sensitive positions income of said sections as said medium is advanced through said activating region, adjusting said medium along said path to establish a predetermined spacial relationship between said sections and said detecting region, thereafter advancing said medium through said activating region and said detecting region at a predetermined rate while maintaining said activating region inactive, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears at the respective detecting positions as each section of said medium is advanced into predetermined spacial relationship with said detection region, and initiating each of the'respective operations or not at the times that --said medium is advanced into such predetermined rspacial relationship in accordance with whether or not annactivating zone. eXistsin the corresponding detecting position at the time.v

37. In a method of controlling a plurality of operations, the steps which comprise: advancing successive sections of a movable medium into an activating region located a predetermined distance along a selected path from a detecting region, each of said sections having a plurality of differently located activation-sensitive posttions therein corresponding to the respective operations, said detecting region having a corresponding plurality of detecting positions therein, creating activating zones at different activationsensitive positions of said sections, while the respective sections of said medium are located in said activating region, adjusting the position of said medium along said path to establish a predetermined spacial relationship between said sections and said detecting region, thereafter, advancing said medium through said activating region and through said detecting region at a predetermined rate while maintaining said activating region inactive whereby successive sections of said medium enter said detecting region at predetermined times, and each activation-sensitive position of the respective sections enters a corresponding detecting position at predetermined times, detecting whether or not such an activating zone appears at the respective detecting positions at each of said latter predetermined times, and initiating the respective operations or not at said times in accordance with whether or not an activating zone exists in the corresponding detecting position at the time.

38. In a preselector mechanism: an elongated magnetically permeable control medium movable along a predetermined path; a plurality of optionally operable magnetizers located along said path for impressing magnetic zones on said medium; a plurality of normally inoperative operators corresponding respectively with said magnetizers located alongv said path in spaced relation with respect to said magnetizers; means for advancing said medium along said path to advance such magnetic zones from the positions of said magnetizers to the positions of said operators; and. means driven synchronously with said medium for selectively energizingv said operators to render said operators operative only to detect magnetic zones impressed on said medium by the corresponding magnetizers.

39. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for advancing said medium along a predetermined path in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a plurality of magneto-responsive operators positioned along, said path within the length of a section; a corresponding plurality of electromagnet means positioned along said path within the length of a section, but spaced in advance of said magneto-responsive operators, for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium for actuating the respective operators; means including a switch for controlling energization of said magnet means; means for synchronizing operation of said switch with advancement of said medium, whereby said electro-magnet means is energizable only at a corresponding point in each section; and a plurality of manually operable switches optionally controlling the energization of the respective electro-magnet means.

40. In a preselector mechanism: a movable elongated magnetically permeable control medium; means for advancing said medium along a predetermined path in a manner to define sections of substantially equal length therealong; a plurality of magneto-responsive operators; a corresponding plurality of electro-magnet means positioned along said path within the length of a section but spaced in advance of said magnetoresponsive operators for impressing a magnetic zone on said medium for actuating the respective operators; means including a switch for controlling energization of said magnet means; means for synchronizing operation of said switch with advancement of said medium, whereby said electromagnet means is energizable only at a corresponding point in each section; and a plurality of manually operable switch means for selectively connecting the respective electromagnet means with a D. C. source to impress such zones on said medium or with a varying A. C. source to erase an existing zone.

41. In a preselector mechanism: a driven member; a movable control medium carried by said driven member; optionally operable means for creating an activating zone on said medium; an operator responsive to said zone when adjacent the operator; cooperating registering means on said driven member in said medium for adjusting the distances between said zone and said operator by a predetermined amount; driving means connectable with said driven member for continuous 1y advancing said medium to position said zone adjacent the operator; and clutching means for selectively connecting said driving means to and disconnecting said driving means from said driven member to permit said advancement or said adjustment, respectively.

42. In a preselector mechanism: a driven member; a movable, magnetically permeable, control medium carried by said driven member; an operator responsive to a magnetic zone on said medium; means for impressing said zone on said medium, spaced from said operator; cooperating registering means on said driven member and said medium for adjusting the distances between said zone and said operator by a predetermined amount; driving means for advancing said medium to cause said zone to actuate said operator; and clutching means for selectively connecting said driving means to and disconnecting said driving means from said driven member to permit said advancement or said adjustment, respectively.

43. In a preselector mechanism: a driven member; a movable magnetically permeable, control medium carried by a driven member; an operator responsive to a magnetic zone on said medium; means for impressing said zone on said medium, spaced from said operator; cooperating registering means on said driven member and said medium for adjusting the distances between said zone and said operator by a predetermined amount; driving means connectible with said driven member for advancing said medium to cause said zone to actuate said operator; and clutching means for selectively connecting said driving means to and disconnecting said driving means from said driven member to permit said advancement or said adjustment, respectively.

RALPH A. HAMILTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 699,630 Pedersen May 6, 1902 720,621 Rosenbaum Feb. 17, 1903 1,656,216 Melby Jan. 17, 1928 1,979,998 Price Nov. 6, 1934 2,298,519 Tillman Oct. 13, 1942 2,370,133 Begun Feb. 27, 1945 2,396,409 Berzer Mar. 12, 1946 2,401,888 Smith June 11, 1946 2,431,646 Kenny et al. Nov. 25, 1947 2,436,829 Roth Mar. 2, 1948 2,439,446 Begun Apr. 13, 1948 

